Critical multi-stranded approach for determining the ecological values of diatoms in unique aquatic ecosystems of anthropogenic origin
- Published
- Accepted
- Subject Areas
- Freshwater Biology, Ecohydrology
- Keywords
- diatoms, ecological values, post-mining reservoirs
- Copyright
- © 2019 Olszyński et al.
- Licence
- This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, reproduction and adaptation in any medium and for any purpose provided that it is properly attributed. For attribution, the original author(s), title, publication source (PeerJ Preprints) and either DOI or URL of the article must be cited.
- Cite this article
- 2019. Critical multi-stranded approach for determining the ecological values of diatoms in unique aquatic ecosystems of anthropogenic origin. PeerJ Preprints 7:e27739v3 https://doi.org/10.7287/peerj.preprints.27739v3
Abstract
Background. The ecological state of surface waters is typically assessed by a multi-aspect approach based on a determination of its chemical and physical parameters, by hydromorphology and the use of indicator organisms such as benthic diatoms. By assigning ecological indicator values, it is possible to create diatom indices which serve as the basic tool in assessing the ecological status of surface waters. These ecological indicator values are set according to classification systems, such as the Van Dam et al. 1994 system, which classifies species of diatoms according to seven different ecological factors. However, recent studies on the autecology of diatoms have shown the need to verify and establish new ecological indicator values. To this end, aquatic ecosystems are good environments to observe the range of tolerance of benthic diatoms to environmental conditions due to their unique physical and chemical parameters. The aim of the present study was to propose the establishment of new, or altered, ecological indicator values, according to Van Dam et al. classification, of species of diatoms characteristic of three post-mining aquatic ecosystems. Methods. In total, 36 species were identified that were characteristic of three waterbodies: a salt aquatic complex (water outflow, a drainage ditch and a pond), a mined iron ore reservoir and a mined lignite reservoir. Their ecological indicator values were calculated using OMNIDIA software, and the environmental conditions prevailing in the studied ecosystems were determined. Of the 36 characteristic species, 16 lacking at least one assigned ecological indicator value were analysed further. The analysis identified three groups of selected characteristic species which showed a correlation, or lack of such, to the tested physical and chemical parameters. Results. Based on this multistage study of the autecology of characteristic diatoms, comprising an analysis of environmental conditions, literature analysis and reference ecological indicator values of other species, it is proposed that 32 ecological indicator values be established or adjusted for 16 species, and that Planothidium frequentissimum be excluded from water quality assessments.
Author Comment
Minor editing changes.
Supplemental Information
Classes of ecological indicators values by Van Dam et al. (1994)
Percentage share of diatoms in individual classes of prevalence according to the Tümpling & Friedrich factor (1999)
PE – Pełczyska complex, LE – Łęczyca reservoir, BO – Bogdałów reservoir. EC – euconstant taxa, CN – constant taxa, AC – accessory taxa AD – accidental taxa. The number of species is shown in brackets.
Average percentages of diatom species in individual classes of ecological values according to Van Dam et al. (1994) based on OMNIDIA 6.0.6 software
A. pH requirements. B. Salinity. C. Nitrogen uptake. D. Oxygen requirements. E. Saprobity. F. Trophic state. G. Moisture aerophily
Percentage of characteristic species in the unknown (total) class according to Van Dam et al. (1994) at each sampling point
Percentage of individual characteristic species constituting at least 10% of the 'unknown' class at each sampling point.
Raw data
Number - numbers of valves in the samples, "+" - les than 3 valves in the sample, N/A - not analysed
